§ Mr. Rhodri MorganTo ask the President of the Board of Trade, if he will carry out an independent evaluation of the costs and benefits of BS 5750; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LeighThe Government have no plans to carry out an independent evaluation of BS 5750. BS 5750 is a voluntary quality management standard drawn up by industry to meet its own requirements and published by the British Standards Institution. The BSI established last week a new policy committee for small businesses to address needs of small businesses in all areas of BSI's activities. In the light of recent press coverage of the costs to small firms of complying with BS 5750, this new committee will look, as an early priority, into the application and promotion of that particular standard.